Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO2) flow battery for long-duration energy storage that might be cheaper than other storage technologies.
The battery's special feature is a new kind of electrode made of a mixture containing dispersed manganese dioxide (MnO2) particles, shot through with an electrically conductive additive, carbon black. The latter was used to add the pigment and the electric punch to the semisolid compound.
“This compound reacts with a conductive zinc solution or zinc plate at the stack, enabling efficient electrochemical energy conversion,” the scientists said. “The fluid properties of this battery are far removed from the watery solutions used by other flow batteries.”
The battery went through tests that showed that it offers an optimal electrochemical mix.
“These systems have to be able to flow under reasonable pressures, but also have a weak yield stress so that the active MnO2 particles don't sink to the bottom of the flow tanks when the system isn’t being used, as well as not separate into a battery/oily clear fluid phase and a dense paste of carbon particles and MnO2,” said researcher Gareth McKinley.
The scientists were surprised by the results of a techno-economic analysis that compared the performance of the battery with an equivalent electrochemical battery and hydrogen backup.
“We performed a comprehensive, bottom-up analysis to understand how the battery’s composition...
Read Full Story: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/12/02/mit-scientists-develop-semisolid-zinc-manganese-dioxide-flow-battery-for-wind-pv-storage/
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